VehicleVerdict

2005 Kia Sedona problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 272 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Sedona year — the 2005 model ranks #4 of 20 Sedona years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 94 reports (35% of the total).

272

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

39

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Sedona years?

Sedona NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted579 complaints2002: 328 complaints2003: 214 complaints2004: 226 complaints2005: 272 complaints2006: 579 complaints2007: 234 complaints2008: 246 complaints2009: 75 complaints2010: 49 complaints2011: 87 complaints2012: 146 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 54 complaints2015: 177 complaints2016: 366 complaints2017: 180 complaints2018: 62 complaints2019: 45 complaints2020: 26 complaints2021: 15 complaints
Sedona NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sedona years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Kia Sedona problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes9435%
Engine2710%
Tires & Wheels249%
Electrical System249%
Suspension176%
Airbags166%
Steering145%
Other114%
Speed Control114%
Latches & Locks62%
Fuel System62%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Transmission52%
Body & Structure41%
Seat Belts31%
Seats31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2005 Kia Sedona have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V329000Speed ControlJuly 20, 2005 · 118,447 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, FREEZING CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE WATER ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO FREEZE DURING NORMAL OPERATION. RESISTANCE TO MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE DRIVER LIFTS THEIR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE THE CABLE TO STICK, THUS PREVENTING THE ENGINE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. SUCH AN EVENT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY A PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

05V232000Tires & WheelsMay 19, 2005 · 37,358 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS, MOISTURE CAN ACCUMULATE AROUND THE REAR HUB CAPS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING.

Consequence

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE MAY OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR HUB CAPS FREE OF CHARGE. UPON INSPECTION, SOME VEHICLES WILL ALSO REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR OUTER BEARINGS AND/OR HUB ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT: WHILE GOING 45MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 19, 2005. THE BRAKES LOCKED AND SLID INTO THE VEHICLE. CALLED KIA, AND THEY SAID THEY WILL CALL THE CONSUMER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 19, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 KIA SEDONA. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 16, 2019 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SEDONA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE WHEEL HUB SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 25, 2007 · crash

“MY 2005 KIA SEDONA WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THAT IS WHERE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT STARTED. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS, ONLY HAD 115,000 MILES, NO ISSUES. THANK GOD IT WAS AT 8 AM AND WE WERE AWAKE, EARLIER MY WHOLE FAMILY AND OUR HOME MAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2019 · fire

“DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2005 KIA SEDONA. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 6-20-05, AND TWENTY MINUTES AFTER SHE DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT, THE RADIO QUIT WORKING ALONG WITH THE IGNITION LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE CAR THAT DAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 20, 2005 · crash

2005 Kia Sedona — common questions

Is the 2005 Kia Sedona reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 272 complaints put the 2005 model at #4 of 20 Sedona years. It is one of the Sedona years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Sedona problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (94 complaints), engine (27 complaints), tires & wheels (24 complaints).

Does the 2005 Kia Sedona have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Kia Sedona. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Sedona years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sedona years to avoid are 2006, 2016, 2002, 2005, 2008. The cleanest record among Sedona years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.